Harassed by forest staff, farmer attempts suicide

Ramaiah, a resident of Doddahatti, is alleged to have attempted suicide as forest department officials were harassing him and his family members to vacate their agricultural land.

He is battling for life at the government hospital here. His two daughters, who also were  allegedly assaulted by the officials too have been hospitalised.

Ramaiah was cultivating two acres of land granted by the government at Doddahatti. But forest department officials are reported to have been harassing the family claiming that the land belonged to the department.

The officials allegedly assaulted Ramaiah and his daughters on Sunday. Following the incident, Ramaiah is said to have taken the extreme step. He was immediately shifted to a government hospital in the town.